Cons

Bottom Line

This grandiose hotel, set dramatically above the Bay of Naples and very convenient to the old town of Sorrento, attracts a tourist set seeking the sort of old-school luxury characteristic of the seaside resorts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A mirrored, light-filled dining room in the main restaurant Le Relais is replete with white wood and pastel colors, offering splendid views.

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Scene

A grand old hotel set among lemon and orange trees on the Bay of Naples

Popular with retirees and older guests because of its quiet, grandiose atmosphere, this 19th-century seaside resort features gilded frames, overstuffed chairs on patterned area carpets, and stately drapery in the airy lobby. Floor-to-ceiling windows open out onto the well-manicured garden and pool overlooking the bay. Visitors will be able to take in the palm tree groves that break up views of the Bay of Naples.

Location

Grand Hotel Royal is situated on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Naples and is only a short walk from Piazza Tasso, popularly considered the center of Sorrento’s old town. The area’s train station is also a few minutes walk away. There's frequent service heading towards Naples, with stops at stations that offer access to the Herculaneum and Pompeii. The ferry station with service to Capri is close by the hotel as well.

Rooms

Grandiose decor in bright airy rooms with a few functionality issues

Gilded sconce lighting, inlay woodworked furnishings, and painted crown molding complement floral bedspreads in formal rooms rated as comfortable by guests. Still, mattresses may be a bit hard for some tastes. Many rooms have spectacular views of the bay; all have AC and flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms are charming with patterning on the floor and wall tiles, though some guests have said that renovations are in order. Some have also commented on the dearth of electrical outlets and the fact that room walls can be quite thin.

Features

Small bathing area for guests; various dining and bar options on property

The waterfront is accessible via a set of steep stairs leading from the hotel down the side of the cliff. A free lift transports guests from the bathing area near the sea back up to the property. Some visitors, however, have noted the paucity of both beach towels and deck chairs. A large pool adjacent to the hotel’s main building provides beautiful views of the surrounding bay and is encircled by lemon, orange, and palm trees in the hotel’s garden. A restaurant, snack lounge, and three bars get generally favorable reviews.

Bottom Line

This grandiose hotel, set dramatically above the Bay of Naples and very convenient to the old town of Sorrento, attracts a tourist set seeking the sort of old-school luxury characteristic of the seaside resorts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A mirrored, light-filled dining room in the main restaurant Le Relais is replete with white wood and pastel colors, offering splendid views.